The Hockey NSW under-13 boys and girls state selection trials scheduled for Port Macquarie this weekend have been postponed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As the COVID-19 Delta variant continues to spread across the country, Hockey NSW regional participation coordinator Leigh McIntosh said they were left with little choice.
"It's where we're at with the COVID situation," he said.
"With the regionally-based cases starting to emerge around the Central West and in Coffs Harbour, it really triggered us to have to pull the pin in the interest of safety for the Port Macquarie community and the hockey community right across NSW."
A new date has not been confirmed although Mr McIntosh was hopeful the event would still be held in the Hastings.
"We can't really commence too much in the way of planning a new date until the situation settles down a bit more. Any sort of date we were to throw up would become fluid," he said.
"We're at the hands of Hockey Australia as to whether the nationals event will still go ahead. There are a lot of unanswered questions at the moment that impact on the new date, but we would be looking at it still coming to Port Macquarie."
Mr McIntosh admitted he felt for the players - some of who were due to embark on their first-ever state selection trial.
"It's disappointing enough for us, but it's massively disappointing for the kids as well," he said.
"I was training with a couple of the athletes when I got the notification that we had to cancel the event and you could see the disappointment on their faces.
"There's plenty of nerves amongst the kids being their first trial and I guess that continues on as they're in that limbo state."
What else is happening in news, sport?
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark our website
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- You can support us with a subscription
- Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews
- Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews
- Follow us on Google News